Frequently asked questions
Who can join the Partnership?The Partnership is a stakeholder group represented by leading organisations in that have a role to play in helping London to adapt to climate change. Representation on the Partnership Steering Group is by invitation. If you would like your organisation to be involved with the London Climate Change Partnership, please contact the Partnership Manager to discuss this. We encourage representation from all of London’s sectors. For further information, please contactjuliette.daniels@london.gov.uk How is the Partnership's work funded?Our core work is funded by the Partnership members including the Greater London Authority, Defra and Thames Water. We welcome organisations to contribute funding and in-kind contributions for specific workplan projects. This enables us to have a full-time Partnership Manager to manage projects, lead on external engagement, develop and maintain our website, hold Forum and workshop events, and deal with liaison and enquiries. The Partnership does not charge a membership fee. How is the Partnership's work programme decided?The Partnership Manager, with Steering Group members, develops the workplan to address the priority adaptation issues for London, for approval by the Steering Group. The programme is flexible and is updated annually so that we can adapt as our knowledge about climate change impacts and adaptive responses grows. What does adaptation mean?Adaptation is the process of identifying how future climate and current extreme weather may affect us, and of identifying, assessing, implementing and reviewing actions that manage the risks and exploit the opportunities. Adaptation will be required for many decades to come, even if greenhouse gas emissions were halted today. What does mitigation mean?Mitigation refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide to slow down future climate change. How will climate change affect my area?See the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) for support and guidance on climate change impact across the UK. Their detailed maps give an area-by-area breakdown. We're being told to reduce our carbon emissions. Won't this stop climate change?Carbon dioxide has a long lifetime in the atmosphere and an even longer effect on the climate system. Today’s climate is influenced by the emissions of the last century. We are therefore committed to changes that result from today’s emissions, and efforts to reduce emissions over the coming century will largely have an effect from the second half of the century onwards. How sure are we that humans are causing climate change?The most respected authority on climate change is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In their most recent report (the IPCC Forth Assessment Report) they say 'Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (caused by humans) greenhouse gas concentrations'. How can I tell whether my home is at flood risk?The Environment Agency produces up-to-date maps of the areas that are at risk from river and coastal flooding - EA Flooding. These don't show flood risks from other sources, such as surface water and sewer flooding. Local Environment Agency offices, or specialist flood advisers, will be able to find more detail about these for an individual property. For more specialist advisers, see the National Flood Forum. Will saving water save me money?It will directly save you money if you already pay for your water on a meter. For more information about getting a water meter installed, contact your water supplier. Everybody can benefit from being more efficient with hot water - using less will save on your household fuel bill. Why should I make all these changes to keep my home cool when I could just buy an air conditioner?Air conditioners use electricity - so if you're using one to keep cool, you're contributing to climate change by adding to the volume of greenhouse gases we emit. Air conditioners also produce waste heat which can then add to London’s Urban Heat Island. |
Forthcoming events 12-18 March 2012: Featured publication Read the LCCP response to the publication of the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) 2012 |
